Portable golf ball marker and alignment tool in combination with a bottle and cap opener and club-face groove cleaners

ABSTRACT

A portable golf ball marker and alignment tool is provided comprising a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side, a peripheral wall disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top and bottom sides. The body further includes an aperture in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge configured to engage in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap. A plurality of alignment indicia disposed on the top side of the body, wherein the alignment indicia comprises of a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis and a second line and a third line spaced equidistant from and extend in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line. In addition, a plurality of tapered cleaning edges angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of the peripheral wall is provided, wherein the tapered cleaning edges are further adapted to fit into and clean a groove on a golf club face. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool further comprises a tapered can opener extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall, wherein the tapered can opener is further adapted to engage in a close-fitting manner underneath a pull tab of a conventional beverage can.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool to assist a golfer in marking and aligning a golf ball. The portable tool further includes an aperture to act as a bottle opener, ball alignment means, a can opener and club-face groove cleaners. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved multi-purpose portable golf ball marker and alignment tool.

BACKGROUND

The game of golf is typically played by more than one person at a time, allowing multiple golf balls on the golf green at one time. The rules of the game provide for the order in which the balls on the green may be played. As a result, balls to be played later are sometimes located in the path of balls to be played sooner, obstructing orderly play. In this situation, the rules provide that the golfer who is to play the obstructing ball must pick up his or her ball and mark the spot accurately. Golf ball markers are used for this purpose.

In addition, considering the time spent by golfers on a golf course, it is quite common in golfing for golfers to carry multiple tools with them during a round of golf (on their person or in their golf bag). These multiple and separate tools include, among other things, markers, scrapers, repair tools and golf club wrenches which are needed for the various incidental activities related to playing golf. More specifically, golfers might need to carry these simultaneously with other tools causing, at a minimum, great inconvenience to them personally and to others. In addition, golfers have the opportunity to purchase bottled and canned beverages on the golf course or might decide to bring along beverages such as sodas or beer in bottles and cans—which further creates a need to provide golfers with a single pocket sized portable multi-purpose tool that can mark, align, clean and be used as a bottle/can opener.

A need exists in the marketplace to have a single pocket sized multi-purpose portable golf ball marker and alignment tool combined with the functionality of a club-face groove cleaner and a bottle/can opener. Golfers can use such portable tool to mark and align golf balls while at the same time have ready access to a bottle and cap opener for capped bottles or a cleaner for the club-face grooves while they are on the golf course.

The present invention relates generally to a golf accessory, and more particularly to an improved multi-purpose golfing accessory. The present invention is an improved portable multi-purpose portable golf ball marker and alignment tool that can be used for temporary and removable placement on a golf green to mark the location of a temporarily removed ball that might otherwise interfere with the path of another ball in play. The invention relates to a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool to assist a golfer in marking and aligning a golf ball. The portable tool further includes an aperture to act as a bottle opener, a golf ball alignment means, a can opener and club-face groove cleaners. Prior art provides very limited examples of golf accessory tools that are used as markers or for alignment for putting. However, prior art accessories do not have the functional combination as disclosed herein.

Therefore, the present invention addresses a long-felt but unresolved need in the art for a golf accessory tool and/or apparatus combined with ball marker, alignment indicia, club-face groove cleaners, and a bottle and can opener that can be conveniently carried by golfers during the game of golf.

SUMMARY

A need exists for an improved and multi-purpose portable golf marking and alignment tool. The apparatus and related methods described in the present invention address the drawbacks of existing designs for such tools and accessories especially as it relates to multi-functional golf accessories that can be carried portably by golfers during golfing.

Embodiments disclosed in the present application provide such improved portable golf ball marker and alignment tool that may be used for various purposes. In particular, the disclosed embodiments provide a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool that may be used for ball marking, ball alignment, putter alignment and club-face groove cleaning, as well as opening bottled and canned beverages—all during a game or round of golf.

In an embodiment, a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool comprising a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side is provided. The body is further comprised of a peripheral wall disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top and bottom sides, the body further including an aperture in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge configured to engage in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap. In addition, a plurality of alignment indicia is disposed on the top side, wherein the alignment indicia comprises a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis, a second line and a third line spaced equidistant from and extending in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line.

The body further comprises a plurality of tapered cleaning edges angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of the peripheral wall. The tapered cleaning edges are adapted to fit into and clean a groove on a golf club face, and a tapered opener extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall, wherein the tapered opener is further adapted to engage in a close-fitting manner underneath a pull tab of a conventional beverage can.

An embodiment provides a method of using a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side on the green immediately behind a golf ball to mark its position; positioning the golf ball in alignment with a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body to achieve a better visual reference for directing the ball down the intended path; cleaning a groove on a golf club face by using a plurality of tapered cleaning edges angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of a peripheral wall disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top side and the bottom side of the body and adapted to fit into the groove; engaging an aperture in the body formed in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap for removing the cap; and engaging a tapered can opener extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall in a close-fitting manner underneath the pull tab of a conventional beverage can for lifting the pull tab and opening the beverage can.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same. It is, nevertheless, understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and such further applications of the principles disclosed and illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one of skill in the art to which this invention relates.

In an embodiment, a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool is provided. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool comprises a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side. A peripheral wall is disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top and bottom sides, the body further including an aperture in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge configured to engage in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool further comprises a plurality of alignment indicia disposed on the top side—a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis, a second line and a third line spaced equidistant from, and extended in parallel relation to, the centrally disposed first line.

In another embodiment, a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool comprises a plurality of tapered cleaning edges for cleaning a groove on a golf club face. The plurality of tapered cleaning edges are angularly disposed and extend outwardly from an upper portion of the peripheral wall disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top and bottom sides of the disc-shaped body. Further, the tapered cleaning edges are shaped and adapted to fit into and clean a groove on a golf club face.

In yet another embodiment, a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool comprises a tapered can opener extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall, wherein the tapered can opener is adapted to engage in a close-fitting manner underneath a pull tab of a conventional beverage can.

In still yet another embodiment of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool the distance between the second line and the third line approximates the diameter of a golf ball.

In yet another embodiment, when the bottle opener profile of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool is brought in proximity to the bottle cap, the fulcrum edge makes contact with the top of the cap and the lifting edge passes beneath the rim of the cap in order to lift and remove the bottle cap.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of tapered cleaning edges comprises a first and second tapered cleaning edges, wherein the first and second tapered cleaning edges are sized and shaped to fit a groove on a golf club face.

In yet another embodiment, the second tapered cleaning edge is larger in size and extends further out than the first tapered cleaning edge.

In yet another embodiment, the tapered can opener comprises a pair of side edges joined to an opener end, wherein the side edges are defined by a gradually decreasing width toward the opener end.

In yet another embodiment, the centrally disposed first line has a different color from the second line and/or the third line.

In yet another embodiment, the peripheral wall defining the boundary between the top and bottom sides has a wall thickness of not less than 2 mm. In an embodiment, a method of marking and aligning a golf ball using a portable golf accessory is provided. The method comprising the steps of: placing a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side on the green immediately behind a golf ball to mark its position; aligning a golf ball with a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body; and positioning the golf ball between a second line and a third line spaced equidistant from and extending in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line to achieve a better visual reference for directing the ball down the intended path.

In another embodiment, a method of using a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool comprises aligning a golf putting stroke for putting a golf ball into a golf green hole by aligning a putter face perpendicular with the first line of the body.

In an embodiment, a method of using a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool is provided. The method comprising the steps of positioning a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side on the green immediately behind a golf ball to mark its position; positioning the golf ball in alignment with a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body to achieve a better visual reference for directing the ball down the intended path; cleaning a groove on a golf club face by using a plurality of tapered cleaning edges angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of a peripheral wall disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top side and the bottom side of the body and adapted to fit into the groove; engaging an aperture in the body formed in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap for removing the cap; and engaging a tapered can opener extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall in a close-fitting manner underneath the pull tab of a conventional beverage can for lifting the pull tab and opening the beverage can.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate various views of an embodiment of a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool according to one or more aspects described herein. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100. In the depicted embodiment, the tool 100 generally comprises a disc-shaped body having a top side 102 opposite a bottom side 104. A peripheral wall 106 is disposed circumferentially defining a boundary between the top side 102 and the opposite bottom side 104. As shown, the body 100 further includes an aperture 108 in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge 110 and a lifting edge 112 configured to engage in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap. By way of example and not of limitation, in other embodiments, the tool 100 may have a larger or smaller aperture 108 with various shapes defining a bottle opener cutout.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1 according to one or more aspects described herein. In the depicted embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the top side 102 of the portable tool 100 generally comprises a plurality of alignment indicia 122, 124 a and 124 b disposed on the top side, wherein the alignment indicia comprises of a first line 122 centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis, a second line 124 a and a third line 124 b spaced equidistant from and extend in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line 122.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a plurality of tapered cleaning edges 114 and 116 angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of the peripheral wall 106, wherein the tapered cleaning edges 114 and 116 are further adapted to fit into and clean a groove on a golf club face. As shown, in an embodiment of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100, a tapered can opener 120 extends outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall 106, wherein the tapered can opener 120 is further adapted to engage in a close-fitting manner underneath a pull tab of a conventional beverage can. As illustrated, the distance between the second line 124 a and the third line 124 b approximates the diameter of a golf ball.

As further illustrated in the view of FIGS. 1-2 of an embodiment of a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100—the plurality of tapered cleaning edges comprises a first tapered cleaning edge 114 and a second tapered cleaning edge 116, wherein the first 114 and second 116 tapered cleaning edges are sized and shaped to fit a groove on a golf club face. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the second tapered cleaning edge 116 is larger in size and extends further out than the first tapered cleaning edge 114.

As further illustrated, in the various views of an embodiment of a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100—the tapered can opener 120 comprises a pair of side edges 118 a and 118 b joined to an opener end 119, wherein the side edges 118 a and 118 b are defined by a gradually decreasing width toward the opener end 119.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various views of an embodiment of a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a top view, FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view, FIG. 5 illustrates a side view, FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view and FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of FIG. 1. As further illustrated, the peripheral wall 106 defining the boundary between the top side 102 and the bottom side 104 has a wall thickness 126 of not less than 2 mm.

A method of marking and aligning a golf ball using a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100 is also provided. The method comprising the steps of placing a disc-shaped body 100 having a top side 102 opposite a bottom side 104 on the green immediately behind a golf ball to mark its position;

aligning a golf ball with a first line 122 centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body; and positioning the golf ball between a second line 124 a and a third line 124 b spaced equidistant from and extending in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line 122 to achieve a better visual reference for directing the ball down the intended path.

In another embodiment, a method of using a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100 is provided, comprising the steps of aligning a golf putting stroke for putting a golf ball into a golf green hole by aligning a putter face perpendicular with the first line 122 of the body.

A method of using the portable golf ball marker and alignment tool 100 is further provided comprising the steps of: positioning a disc-shaped body 100 having a top side 102 opposite a bottom side 104 on the green immediately behind a golf ball to mark its; positioning the golf ball in alignment with a first line 122 centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body to achieve a better visual reference for directing the ball down the intended path; cleaning a groove on a golf club face by using a plurality of tapered cleaning edges 114, 116 angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of a peripheral wall 106 disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top side 102 and the bottom side 104 of the body and adapted to fit into the groove; engaging an aperture 108 in the body formed in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge 110 and a lifting edge 112 in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap for removing the cap; and engaging a tapered can opener 120 extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall 106 in a close-fitting manner underneath the pull tab of a conventional beverage can for lifting the pull tab and opening the beverage can.

It is understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments may be made in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention but to provide sufficient disclosure to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention without undue burden. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims. 

1. A portable golf ball marker and alignment tool comprising: a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side; a peripheral wall disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top side and the bottom side, the body further including an aperture in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge configured to engage in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap; a plurality of alignment indicia disposed on the top side, wherein the alignment indicia comprises of a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis, a second line and a third line spaced equidistant from and extend in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line; a plurality of tapered cleaning edges angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of the peripheral wall, wherein the tapered cleaning edges are further adapted to fit into and clean a groove on a golf club face; and wherein the tapered cleaning edges comprises first and second tapered cleaning edges, wherein the first and second tapered cleaning edges are sized and shaped to fit a groove on a golf club face; a tapered can opener extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall, the tapered can opener comprises a pair of side edges joined to an opener end, wherein the side edges are defined by a gradually decreasing width toward the opener end; and, wherein the tapered can opener is further adapted to engage in a close-fitting manner underneath a pull tab of a conventional beverage can.
 2. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the distance between the second line and the third line approximates the diameter of a golf ball.
 3. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of claim 1, wherein when the bottle opener profile is brought in proximity to the bottle cap, the fulcrum edge makes contact with the top of the cap and the lifting edge passes beneath the rim of the cap in order to lift and remove the bottle cap.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the second tapered cleaning edge is larger in size and extends further out than the first tapered cleaning edge.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the centrally disposed first line has a different color from the second line or the third line.
 8. The portable golf ball marker and alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall defining the boundary between the top and bottom sides has a wall thickness of not less than 2 mm.
 9. A method of marking and aligning a golf ball using a portable golf accessory, the method comprising the steps of: placing a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side on the green immediately behind a golf ball to mark its position; aligning a golf ball with a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body; positioning the golf ball between a second line and a third line spaced equidistant from and extending in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line to achieve a better visual reference for directing the ball down an intended path; and engaging an aperture in the body formed in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap for removing the cap.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the distance between the second line and the third line approximates the diameter of a golf ball.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the centrally disposed first line has a different color from the second line or the third line.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: aligning a golf putting stroke for putting a golf ball into a golf green hole by aligning a putter face perpendicular with the first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body.
 13. A method of using a portable golf ball marker and alignment tool, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a disc-shaped body having a top side opposite a bottom side on the green immediately behind a golf ball to mark its position; aligning a golf ball with a first line centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body; and positioning the golf ball between a second line and a third line spaced equidistant from and extending in parallel relation to the centrally disposed first line to achieve a better visual reference for directing the ball down an intended path; cleaning a groove on a golf club face by using a plurality of tapered cleaning edges angularly disposed and extending outwardly from an upper portion of a peripheral wall disposed circumferentially and defining a boundary between the top side and the bottom side of the body; wherein the plurality of tapered cleaning edges are configured with a first and second tapered cleaning edges such that the first and second tapered cleaning edges are sized and shaped to fit a groove on a golf club face; engaging an aperture in the body formed in the shape of a bottle opener cutout having a fulcrum edge and a lifting edge in a close-fitting manner with an edge of a conventional bottle cap for removing the cap; and engaging a tapered can opener extending outwardly from a lower portion of the peripheral wall in a close-fitting manner underneath the pull tab of a conventional beverage can for lifting the pull tab and opening the beverage can.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the distance between the second line and the third line approximates the diameter of a golf ball.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: positioning the bottle opener profile in proximity to the conventional bottle cap; positioning the fulcrum edge to make contact with the top of the cap; and positioning the lifting edge beneath a rim of the cap in order to lift and remove the bottle cap.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The method of claim 13, the second tapered cleaning edge is larger in size and extends further out than the first tapered cleaning edge.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the tapered can opener comprises a pair of side edges joined to an opener end, wherein the side edges are defined by a gradually decreasing width toward the opener end.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the centrally disposed first line has a different color from the second line or the third line.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the peripheral wall defining the boundary between the top and bottom sides has a wall thickness of not less than 2 mm. 